FBCL Online Book Club

Welcome to FBCL’s online book club! We want to invite anyone 18 and up who also enjoy the comfort of virtual meetings, to join us online every fourth Wednesday at 10:00am on Webex.  We will be discussing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. 

The remarkable story of J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

We will be meeting on Webex on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10am. 

You can find the ebooks and eaudio books on the Libby app, or call George Memorial Library at 281-341-2604 to reserve a physical copy. Registration is required.